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☆ Trump meeting with Netanyahu for first time since departing White House
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Alayna Treene | Kylie Atwood | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Former President Donald Trump is meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, the first such meeting between the two men since Trump left the White House more than three years ago. Trump, who often claims he was the most pro-Israel president in modern history, once touted his close, personal relationship with Netanyahu. Netanyahu called Trump the greatest friend Israel has ever had and heralded him for “unequivocally” standing by Israel during Trump’s tenure as commander in chief. In posting that engagement with Abbas, Trump was trying to “strike a balance” going into the meeting, Bahbah said, adding that he hopes Trump will come out of the Netanyahu meeting calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. “At the table, the most important question is asking the prime minister what he needs to win.

Persons: Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Harris, ”, Abraham, Israel, Biden, “, ” Trump, Axios, Qasem Soleimani, Netanyahu “, —, Keith Kellogg, he’s, Bishara Bahbah, Mahmoud Abbas, Bibi Netanyahu, Abbas, Bahbah, Lee Zeldin, ” Zeldin, Viktor Orbán, David Cameron, Andrzej Duda, Taro Aso, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, The Trump Organizations: CNN, Israeli, White, Trump’s, Democratic, Trump, Hamas, Israel, Fox News, Abraham Accords, Biden, Republican, Jewish Republican, Hungarian, British, Japanese, Saudi Crown Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Middle East, North Africa, Trump, Gaza, Arizona, Mar, New York

☆ Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada: US operation to capture Sinaloa cartel leaders had the help of one of the captured men: a son of ‘El Chapo,’ official says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-25 | by ( Emma Tucker | Polo Sandoval | Evan Perez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, 76, the alleged co-founder and leader of the powerful Sinaloa cartel, was arrested in El Paso, Texas, Thursday, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. Another alleged cartel leader, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, 38, was also arrested, he said. But Zambada didn’t know US investigators had exploited a rift in the Sinaloa cartel and Guzman Lopez was helping with Zambada’s capture, the official said. Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, a historic leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, left, and Joaquín Guzmán López, a son of another infamous cartel leader, after they were arrested by US authorities in Texas, the US Justice Department said Thursday. “Ismael Mario Zambada Garcia is the long-time leader of the Zambada Garcia faction of the Sinaloa Cartel.

Persons: CNN —, Ismael “ El, General Merrick Garland, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, Guzman, Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman, Zambada, Guzman Lopez, Ismael “ El Mayo ” Zambada, Guzmán, Rosa Icela Rodriguez, “, ” Rodriguez, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s, Rodriguez, Rodriquez, ” Garland, extraditions, “ Ismael Mario Zambada Garcia, Zambada Garcia, Christopher Wray, ” Wray, Anne Milgram, El, ”, Vicente Zambada Niebla, Chapo, “ El, “ El Mayo ” Zambada Organizations: CNN, Ismael “ El Mayo ” Zambada, FBI, Reuters, Ismael “ El Mayo ”, US Justice Department, US Department of State, AP, Mexico’s National Immigration Institute, Cessna, Justice Department, US State Department, Drug, Administration, ”, Sinaloa Cartel, Eastern, of, ” CNN, “ El Mayo ”, Police, Border Patrol Locations: Mexican, United States, Sinaloa, El Paso , Texas, Mexico, El Paso, Santa Teresa, “, Mexico’s Sinaloa, Texas, Hermosillo, Illinois, Chicago, Guatemala, Brooklyn, of New York, Ciudad Juarez, American, Juarez, Columbus , New Mexico

☆ Tara Shakiti will be the first artist from Madagascar to send her work to the moon
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Leah Collins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —From a young age, award-winning artist Tara Shakti knew she wanted to pursue a career creating paintings that empowered other women. Tara Shakti will be the first Malagasy artist to have her work sent to the moon. The main criterion for nomination is that artists’ work should have been included in a curated exhibit, collection, anthology or similar. Tara ShaktiThe artist was invited by Peralta to submit her work for the project after he discovered her paintings through social media earlier this year. “To have my work launched to the moon is an honor of immeasurable magnitude,” Shakti told CNN in an email.

Persons: Tara Shakti, Shakti, ”, “, NASA ”, Samuel Peralta, ” Peralta, Peralta, Leonardo da Vinci, Shakti's, Shakti’s, NASA’s, Tara Shakti “, Tara Shakti’s, Ada Limón, Didi Mendez, they’re Organizations: CNN, SpaceX, NASA, Codex Polaris, Heavy, Embassy of, NASA’s Europa Clipper Locations: Madagascar, Africa, Florence, Paris, Canadian, Toronto, New York, Embassy, Embassy of Madagascar, France, Cuban American

American Express issues four co-branded Hilton credit cards, but only one — the Hilton Honors American Express Card — has a $0 annual fee. Hilton Credit Card Benefits and FeaturesThe Hilton Honors American Express Card comes with a handful of useful perks that can improve your travel experience and save you money. Hilton Credit Card Annual Fee and Other CostsThe Hilton Honors American Express Card has no annual fee, so it's easy to keep without incurring a yearly cost. The Hilton Honors American Express Card is the only one of the four Hilton credit cards that charges a $0 annual fee. Methodology: How we reviewed the Hilton Credit CardBusiness Insider's credit cards team compared the Hilton Honors Amex to other co-branded Hilton credit cards, as well as similar no-annual-fee hotel credit cards from other chains like Marriott, IHG, Wyndham, and Choice.

Persons: Hilton, that's, you'd, you'll, Conrad, Hilton LXR, Hilton Tru, —, Cash, Amex Organizations: Business, Hilton Honors, Hilton, U.S, American Express, Honors, Express, Hilton Honors American, Hilton Honors American Express, Gold, Card, Chase Travel, Capital, Cardholders, Conrad Hotels, Resorts, Hilton DoubleTree, Hilton Embassy, Inn, Hilton Hilton Hotels, Garden Inn, Hilton Homewood, Hilton Signia, Hilton Tempo, Hilton Waldorf Astoria Hotels, Tru, Conrad, Amazon, Hilton Gold, Chase, Amex, Marriott, IHG, Global, American, Hilton Credit Card Locations: U.S, Hilton, Hampton, Conrad Maldives, Falls, Kansas, IHG

Get up to $200 back each year on eligible Hilton purchases after you use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Hilton Surpass Card Review: Is It the Best Credit Card for You? Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors ™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. So, for example, if you already have The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, Hilton Honors American Express Card, or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, you could still qualify for the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

Persons: Hilton, Conrad —, Chase, it's, Conrad, Hilton LXR, Hilton Tru, —, you'll, Amex Hilton, You'll, Amex, you've Organizations: Business, Hilton, Marriott, Hilton Honors American, U.S, Hilton Gold, Gold, Honors American, Online Retail, Card, Waldorf, Chase, Hilton Honors, Diamond, American Express, American, Chase Travel, Capital, Hotel, Conrad Hotels, Resorts, Hilton DoubleTree, Hilton Embassy, Inn, Hilton Hilton Hotels, Garden Inn, Hilton Homewood, Hilton Signia, Hilton Tempo, Hilton Waldorf Astoria Hotels, Tru, Conrad, Hampton Inn, Amazon, Cardholders, Hilton Diamond, IHG, Amex, TSA, Honors American Express, Express, Hilton Honors American Express, Wyndham Locations: U.S, IHG, Hyatt, Hampton, Conrad Maldives, Downtown, Michigan, —

☆ Netanyahu’s long history of confounding US presidents
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Netanyahu has known President Joe Biden for decades, but Biden doubts Netanyahu’s sincerity. Netanyahu earned the undying enmity of former President Barack Obama for trying to tank the Iran nuclear deal. Trump turned opposition to the Iran nuclear deal into a major campaign issue in 2016. Despite his long relationship with Netanyahu, Biden has criticized the Israeli leader’s government for being too right-wing. But for all his criticism of Netanyahu, Biden has continued to provide Israel with weapons and aid, and the two men will meet at the White House.

Persons: CNN — Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Joe Biden, Biden, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Romney, Bill Clinton, “, Aaron David Miller, Benjamin Netanyahu, Luke Frazza, Obama, Kamala Harris, Trump, Biden’s, ” Trump, Axios, Rather, Jeremy Diamond, Diamond, Aviva Siegel, ” Siegel, ” Organizations: CNN, Israeli, Getty, Republican, Senate, Democratic, Trump, White, Hamas Locations: Iran, East, AFP, Jerusalem, Israel, Gaza, Tel Aviv, Washington

☆ Philippines bans gambling operations catered to illicit Chinese players
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-23 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Philippines has announced plans to ban offshore gaming operators, targeting an industry that mostly caters to Chinese gamblers and has sparked growing alarm from law enforcement over its alleged connections to organized crime. Known locally as POGOs, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators have spawned across the country, both licensed and illicit, employing tens of thousands of Chinese and foreign nationals. Ezra Acayan/Getty ImagesThere are 46 licensed offshore gaming operators and dozens more illicit gambling hubs in the Philippines, according to the country’s gaming regulator, which Marcos has ordered to close by the end of the year. Since then, the Philippines has become a major hub for online gaming catering to tens of thousands of players based in China. “Even if overseas casinos are legally opened, cross-border gambling by Chinese citizens is suspected of violating the laws of our country,” the embassy said in a statement.

Persons: Ferdinand Marcos Jr, ” Marcos, Marcos, Ezra Acayan, Marcos ’, Rodrigo Duterte Organizations: CNN, Philippine Offshore Gaming, Macao –, Philippine News Agency Locations: Philippines, Philippine, Manila, Beijing, South China, China, Macao, Southeast Asia, United States, China’s, Singapore

Finally, Lyft and Hilton have teamed up to offer 3x Hilton Honors points on Lyft rides, or 2x Hilton points for shared Lyft rides. You can do so at the following ratios:HawaiianMiles : 1 HawaiianMile = 1.5 Hilton Honors points: 1 HawaiianMile = 1.5 Hilton Honors points Virgin Atlantic Flying Club: 1 Virgin Atlantic point = 1.5 Hilton Honors pointsOther ways to redeem Hilton rewards pointsExperiences and shoppingThe Hilton Experiences program offers a variety of unique opportunities for redeeming points. Redeem Hilton Honors points for event creditsIt's also possible to redeem your points for events at a Hilton, though this isn't generally considered a good way to maximize your Hilton points value. Here's how much the credits cost:25,000 points = $5050,000 points = $10075,000 points = $150125,000 points = $250250,000 points = $500Exchange Hilton points for airline milesIf you'd rather have airline or rail points, you have the option to transfer Hilton points to partner airlines, though redemption rates vary. Maximizing Hilton Honors points frequently asked questionsHow can I earn Hilton Honors points?

Persons: Hilton, You'll, you'll, you've, Diamond, Conrad, Hilton LXR, Hilton Tru, cardholders, that's, Cardholders, Conrad Bora Bora, Hilton Honors Hilton, It's, Exchange Hilton, Lyft, doesn't, Finance Insider's Organizations: Business, Hilton, American, Read, Diamond, Hilton Honors, Express, Conrad Hotels, Resorts, Hilton DoubleTree, Hilton Embassy, Inn, Hilton Hilton Hotels, Garden Inn, Homewood, Hilton Signia, Hilton Tempo, Astoria Hotels, American Express, U.S, Hilton Honors American, Hilton Gold, Gold, Honors American, Online Retail, Hilton Honors American Express, Honors American Express, Hilton Diamond, Alamo, Enterprise, Lyft, Waldorf, Maldives, Dell, Adobe, Hawaiian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Atlantic Flying, Exchange, Honors, Amazon, Hilton's, American Express Hilton, Finance, Elite Locations: —, Hilton, U.S, It's, Shanghai, Czech, Venice, Indonesia, Worth

☆ Harris to skip Netanyahu’s speech to Congress but plans separate meeting
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Manu Raju | Betsy Klein | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Vice President Kamala Harris declined to preside over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. Harris’ aide cited a previously scheduled event as the reason for missing the speech Wednesday. A date for the Netanyahu-Harris meeting has not been announced, but it will be separate from President Joe Biden’s planned meeting with the Israeli prime minister. The closely watched bilateral will mark Harris’ first meeting with a world leader since Biden stepped aside from his reelection campaign and endorsed Harris’ candidacy. Senate President Pro Tempore Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, also declined to preside, according to a spokesperson.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Benjamin Netanyahu’s, Biden, Netanyahu, Harris ’, Harris, Joe Biden’s, “, ”, Pro Tempore Patty Murray, Ben Cardin, –, Mike Johnson, Hakeem Jeffries, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell Organizations: CNN, Zeta Phi Beta, Pro Tempore, Foreign, Capitol, Israeli Embassy, Democratic Locations: Gaza, Israel, Indianapolis, Washington, Maryland, DC, Covid

CNN —A German citizen has been sentenced to death in Belarus after being charged with terrorism and mercenary activities, according to a Belarusian human rights group. The group Human Rights Center “Viasna” said the German national is a 29-year-old German Red Cross employee named Rico Krieger. According to his LinkedIn profile, he worked as an emergency medical technician for the German Red Cross and as an armed security officer for the US Embassy in Berlin. The German Red Cross (DRK) told CNN’s German affiliate N-TV that while “the man in question,” without naming Krieger, had previously worked for them, his stay abroad was not related to his work with the DRK. CNN has also reached out to the German Red Cross for comment.

Persons: ”, Rico Krieger, Krieger, Viasna, “, Anatoly Glaz, Germany “, Lukashenko’s, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Organizations: CNN, Human Rights, Red Cross, US, Minsk Regional Court, Federal Foreign Office, Embassy, German Foreign Office, Foreign, CNN’s Locations: Belarus, Belarusian, Berlin, Minsk, Germany, ”, German

☆ The Houthis struck deep into Israel with an Iranian-made attack drone likely upgraded for longer-range strikes, IDF says
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-19 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the rare attack on Tel Aviv early Friday morning local time, which marked their first lethal attack in Israel. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesperson, said an initial assessment suggests the system used in the attack was an Iranian-made Samad-3 one-way attack drone with an extended range. AdvertisementVery clear footage of a kamikaze UAV fired by Yemen’s Houthis targeting Tel Aviv overnight, near the United States Embassy Office. He added that the IDF is investigating this latest incident to determine why the Samad-3 was not identified as a threat and shot down before it reached Tel Aviv. Investigators examine what, according to a police spokesperson, seems to be part of an aerial device, at the site of an explosion in Tel Aviv on July 19, 2024.

Persons: —, Daniel Hagari, Samad, Yemen’s, nvMTna32YJ, Hagari, Fabian Hinz, Ricardo Moraes Israel, Israel Organizations: Service, Business, Embassy, United States Embassy Office, US Defense Intelligence Agency, REUTERS, International Institute for Strategic Studies, US Navy, US Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Iran, Iranian, Yemen, State, Gaza, Gulf of Aden, Lebanon, Hamas

CNN —Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Friday claimed responsibility for a deadly drone blast in Tel Aviv, the Iranian proxy group’s latest attack in what it says is a response to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. The drone that caused the explosion was detected by an Israeli aerial defense system, but not intercepted due to “human error,” an Israeli military official said. The Israeli military is investigating the attack and does not believe further threats are imminent, the official said. An investigator inspects a damaged window of a building at the site of an explosion in Tel Aviv on July 19, 2024. The drone attack in Tel Aviv Friday comes after the Houthis claimed earlier this month that they had targeted ships in the Israeli port of Haifa with a number of drones in joint military operations with Iran-backed militias based in Iraq.

Persons: Yemen’s, Houthi, Yahya Sare’e, ”, ” Sare’e, Ricardo Moraes, Israel’s Magen David Adom, “, Roi Klein, ’ Organizations: CNN, Embassy, Israel Defense Forces, Reuters, US Embassy, US State Department, MDA, Police, IDF Locations: Tel Aviv, Gaza, Jerusalem, Shalom, Tel, Aviv, Red, Israel, Haifa, Iran, Iraq

Introduction to the Hilton Honors Business CardThe Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is worth considering if you're loyal to Hilton and qualify for a small business credit card. Hilton Honors Amex Business Card OverviewThe Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is the only business card in the Hilton credit card family. The other three — Hilton Honors American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, and Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — are great options if you're in the market for a consumer-focused Hilton credit card. Hilton Honors Amex Business Card Benefits and FeaturesThe Hilton Honors Amex Business Card comes with several perks that can make your travels more comfortable and help you save money. Hilton Business Credit Card Annual Fees and Other CostsThe annual fee on Hilton Honors Amex Business Card more than doubled in early 2024, jumping up to $195.

Persons: Hilton, Amex, Hilton LXR, Hilton Tru, you'll, Cardholders, You'll, aren't Organizations: Business, Hilton, Honors American Express, Hilton Honors American Express, Diamond, Express, Hilton Honors American, Hilton Honors, Card, Honors, Tru, Hilton Gold, Hotel Brands Conrad Hotels, Resorts, Hilton DoubleTree, Hilton Embassy, Inn, Hilton Hilton Hotels, Garden Inn, Hilton Homewood, Hilton LivSmart Studios, Hilton Signia, Hilton Tempo, Hilton Waldorf Astoria Hotels, Resorts Hilton, Hilton Diamond, Emerald, Chase, Baggage, Hilton Business, Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Chevron, Hilton Business Credit, Hyatt Locations: Chevron, IHG

In a rare breach of Israel’s multilayered air-defense system, a drone fired by the Houthi militia in Yemen slammed into an apartment building near the United States Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv early Friday, killing at least one person and wounding eight others. Pentagon officials expressed doubt that the drone had specifically targeted the U.S. building, an attack that analysts assessed had possibly been an attempt by the Houthis to strike anywhere they could in Tel Aviv. The Houthis, an Iranian-backed militia that has been attacking ships in the Red Sea, claimed responsibility for the strike on the city of 450,000 people. No air-raid sirens warned residents before the drone crashed into the building, causing an explosion that jolted people from their sleep, shattered windows and left shrapnel scattered on the streets. “We are investigating why we did not identify it, attack it and intercept it,” Admiral Hagari said on Friday.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, Admiral Hagari Organizations: United States Embassy, Pentagon Locations: Yemen, Tel Aviv, Iranian, Red

The Iran-backed Houthi militia claimed responsibility for a rare drone attack in central Tel Aviv that crashed into a building near the United States Embassy branch office early Friday, killing at least one person and wounding eight others. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, told reporters that Israel’s defense systems had apparently picked up the drone but failed to register it as a threat. The Israeli military said the drone had likely flown from Yemen, where the Houthis are based, before approaching Tel Aviv from the coast. Video posted on X and verified by The New York Times shows what appears to be a unmanned aerial vehicle approaching west of Tel Aviv, followed by a blast at the location of the strike. The two sides offered differing accounts of the type of drone used in the attack.

Persons: Daniel Hagari, Admiral Hagari, Nasruddin Amer Organizations: United States Embassy, The New York Times Locations: Iran, Tel Aviv, Yemen

However, Russia and Belarus are exceptions due to the invasion of Ukraine,” a Hiroshima city government spokesperson told CNN. Envoys from Russia and Belarus haven’t attended since Hiroshima excluded them in 2022 following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February that year. Russia used Belarus as one of the launch pads for its assault and later moved some of its tactical nuclear weapons there. “As a city of international peace, Hiroshima city needs to invite all nations, regardless of whether they are at war or not,” said Kunihiko Sakuma, president of Hiroshima Hidankyo, an atomic bomb survivors’ advocacy group. Hiroshima authorities said they only send invitations to countries with embassies in Japan and have never invited Palestinian representatives to the ceremony.

Persons: haven’t, Israel, ”, Hiroshima’s, Belarus haven’t, Tetsuji Kumada, Khan Younis, Mohammed Salem, Fumio Kishida, Volodymyr Zelensky, Naoya Azuma, Kunihiko Sakuma, Yoko Kamikawa, Junko Ogura Organizations: Tokyo CNN —, CNN, “, ”, European Union, Hiroshima’s, Russia, Hamas, Reuters, AP Japan, Kyodo, ” Kyodo, Mission of Locations: Tokyo CNN — Hiroshima, Gaza, Hiroshima, Israel, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, ”, “ Russia, Nagasaki, Palestine, Japan, Israeli, Al, Khan, Reuters Japanese, Hiroshima Peace, Kyiv, Tokyo, Mission of Palestine

☆ Evan Gershkovich: Russian trial of US journalist resumes after being brought forward
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Sergey Gudkov | Anna Chernova | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A Russian court resumed the trial of American journalist Evan Gershkovich on Thursday after it was moved forward by one month. Initially slated for August, his trial was brought forward at the request of the defense. The trial is being held behind closed doors and little information on the hearing was immediately available. Gershkovich was arrested while reporting for the Wall Street Journal, during a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg in March 2023, and later accused of spying for the CIA. Gershkovich, the US government, and the WSJ have vehemently denied the charges against him.

Persons: Evan Gershkovich, Gershkovich, Roger Carstens Organizations: CNN, Wall Street, CIA, WSJ, Embassy, TASS Locations: American, Russia, Sverdlovsky, Yekaterinburg

☆ A North Korean defector was made a minister in South Korea, likely irking Kim Jong Un, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Joshua Nelken-Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Tae made a high-profile defection to South Korea in 2016, and was previously an ambassador at the North Korean Embassy in London. The appointment makes him the first North Korean defector to be given a vice-ministerial job in South Korea, according to AP. Related stories"He's definitely considered a traitor of the current North Korean regime and I think that's how they'll paint it," she said. But "North Korea doesn't consider the Council to be particularly relevant," Pardo, the KF-VUB Korea Chair, told BI. Smith added: "He has been and will continue to be actively involved in campaigns that expose the North Korean government and the problems of the North Korean population."

Persons: —, Yoon Suk, Yongho, Tae, Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Sarah A ., Kim Jong, He's, Pardo, Hazel Smith, Smith, It's Organizations: Service, Korea, Advisory Council, North Korean Embassy, Business, North, KF, VUB, Brussels School, Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, National Assembly, CNN, Korean Studies, University of Sheffield, South Korea's National Assembly, Korea doesn't, SOAS University of London, South Korean, Korean Locations: North Korean, South Korea, London, VUB Korea, Vrije, North, Korea, North Korea

☆ Tel Aviv, Israel, explosion near US Embassy branch office kills one after possible drone attack, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Eugenia Yosef | Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An explosion near the US Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv that killed at least one person early Friday is being investigated as a possible drone attack, according to Israeli authorities. The blast occurred about 100 meters (330 feet) from the compound of the US Embassy branch office, according to a CNN analysis of open-source satellite imagery of the scene. The United States is closely monitoring the situation, a government official told CNN, acknowledging that an explosion happened near the branch office. An investigator inspects a damaged window of a building at the site of an explosion in Tel Aviv on July 19, 2024. A person walks down the stairs of a building damaged from a blast in Tel-Aviv on July 19, 2024.

Persons: Israel’s Magen David Adom, Ricardo Moraes, “, Roi Klein Organizations: CNN, Embassy, US Embassy, Israel Defense Forces, Police, MDA, Reuters Police Locations: Tel Aviv, United States, Shalom, Tel, Aviv

Hilton Honors used to offer free breakfast for all members with Gold and Diamond elite status. Introduction to Hilton Free BreakfastOne of Hilton's most lauded and customer-friendly policies has been its free breakfast benefit for all members with Hilton Gold or Diamond elite status. Overview of the BenefitThe Hilton breakfast offering has changed over the past couple of years, for better or worse. Below are all the cards that net you either free breakfast or food and beverage credits with Hilton:Participating Hilton BrandsFull-Service vs. Limited Service BrandsMany Hilton hotel brands offer free breakfast to all guests. Yes, the free breakfast benefit is available at many international Hilton properties, but offerings and eligibility may vary.

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☆ In Argentina, a Catholic President and His Rabbi
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-18 | by ( Jack Nicas | Daniel Politi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Javier Milei of Argentina is a Catholic who leads Pope Francis’s native country. He also regularly studies the Torah, attends Shabbat dinner and has said that perhaps his most important adviser is his rabbi. Over the past several years, Mr. Milei has taken an intense and, among most world leaders, unusual interest in Judaism. Mr. Milei has pledged to move Argentina’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. And he has appointed his personal rabbi, Shimon Axel Wahnish, as Argentina’s ambassador to Israel.

Persons: Javier Milei, Pope Francis’s, Milei, Moses, Shimon Axel Wahnish Locations: Argentina, Argentine, Israel, Palestinian, Jerusalem

☆ Thailand: Cyanide poisoning likely killed six found dead in Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel, including two US citizens, police say
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The grisly discovery was made on Tuesday when staff at the five-star Grand Hyatt Erawan in the Thai capital entered the fifth-floor suite after the guests missed check out by more than 24 hours. Uneaten meals are left on a table in a suite at Bangkok's Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, where six people were found dead on July 16, 2024. Rescue teams arrive at the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok on July 16, 2024. The Grand Hyatt hotel, where the deaths occurred, is located in a bustling tourist area in the heart of Bangkok that’s home to luxury shopping malls and restaurants. Next to the hotel is the Erawan shrine, a famous landmark popular with Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh communities and tourists.

Persons: Grand, Trairong Phiewphan, ” Trairong, Noppasin Poonsawat, “, Noppasin, ” Noppasin, Lauren DeCicca, Matthew Miller, Rangsiwuthaporn Organizations: Thailand CNN, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Police, Hyatt, Hotel, Royal Thai Police, Deputy Metropolitan Police, Rescue, Getty Images Police, US State Department, Reuters, Thai Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Thai, Bangkok ”

☆ North Korean Diplomat Defects to the South, Shares News of Political Purge
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-16 | by ( Choe Sang-Hun | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The defector, Ri Il-kyu, 52, made the comments in an interview with a newspaper in Seoul, which was also the first time his defection became public. Mr. Ri was a political counselor at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba when he fled to South Korea last November. He is the most senior North Korean official known to defect to the South in nearly a decade. They were among the best-known North Korean diplomats dealing with Washington. But they soon disappeared from North Korean state media.

Persons: Kim Jong, Donald J, Trump, Kim, Ri Organizations: North, North Korean Embassy, North Korean, Chosun Ilbo, Washington Locations: United States, North Korean, Seoul, Cuba, South Korea, Korean

☆ Why Everything Bagel Seasoning Was Banned in South Korea
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-15 | by ( Eve Sampson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The seasoning garnishes everything from bagels and scrambled eggs to fried chicken in many countries. But in South Korea, it tops something else: a list of unexpected goods travelers are banned from bringing into the country. Trader Joe’s savory Everything but The Bagel seasoning mix has a cult following in the United States, but many who have tried to bring the topping into South Korea have had the garlic, onion and poppy seed blend — often described as “everything seasoning” — confiscated by authorities, local news reports said. Food containing poppy seeds, “including popular bagel seasoning blends,” is considered contraband in South Korea, according to the U.S. Embassy, making the coveted topping a forbidden treat. The Trader Joe’s seasoning has been banned in South Korea since 2022, but the brand’s popularity in the region has skyrocketed, with influencers in Japan sporting Trader Joe’s canvas tote bags as a fashion statement.

Organizations: U.S . Embassy, influencers Locations: South Korea, United States, Korea, Japan

☆ Australia PM tells Russia to 'back off' after claims over espionage arrests
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-13 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Russia accused Australia of inciting "anti-Russian paranoia" for charging a Russian-born couple with espionage, prompting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday to tell Moscow to "back off." Albanese, speaking to reporters on Saturday, said Russia needed to "stop interfering in domestic affairs of other sovereign nations." Russia engages in espionage here and around the world," Albanese said in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland state, according to a transcript. The wife, 40, an information systems technician in the Australian Army, travelled to Russia and instructed her husband in Australia to log into her official account to access defense materials, police said. Canberra has been supplying defense equipment to Kyiv, banned exports of aluminium ores to Russia and sanctioned more than 1,000 Russian individuals and entities.

Persons: Anthony Albanese, Kira, Igor Korolev, Albanese, " Albanese Organizations: Australian Federal Police, Labor Party, Kyiv, NATO, Australian Broadcasting Corp, Australian Army Locations: Russian, Australia's, Canberra, Russia, Australia, Moscow, Brisbane, Queensland, Ukraine, Washington, Brisbane magistrate's, Kyiv

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